#09 Jordan

The Law: In 2010, in the name of improving the work performance of people, Jordan had blocked more than 50 websites. These include local news websites and sites which discuss about day labor rights. According to Government, browsing these sites is just a waste of time and money.

Internet censorship in the country focuses more on political issues. Government had instructed the internet cafes to install software which block the sites related to gambling, insulting religious beliefs and whatever government think is offensive. Cafes are also required to store everything related to an internet user- from National-id numbers to names- for a long time.

Penalties: Many citizens have reportedly been questioned and arrested for authoring and posting web content, which the government feels is offensive. Punishments include fines to imprisonments to forced labor.

Even though less than forty percent of the population has access to internet inside the country, Jordan is considered little better than some other Arab countries when it comes to internet laws.